Homilies and articles from a Catholic priest

In our Gospel reading, Pontius Pilate had a question for Jesus: “Are you the King of the Jews?”

It is the morning of Good Friday, and the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem have brought Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, with the accusation that Jesus has claimed this title of king for himself. To Pilate, anyone who calls himself a king is fighting against the Roman government: declaring that he has rightful authority and not them, that others need to follow him and not them. In Pilate’s ears, the word “king” means a subversive rebel leader who must be stopped immediately. And Pilate asks: “Is that what you are? A king?” (more…)